Ways to Help Kids Cope With a Divorce

By
Gower Law PLC
|May 13, 2016

As attorneys working with divorce, we know it is often one of the most
challenging, difficult situations people experience in life. Along with
emotional distress throughout, the divorce process can be a long drain
on your time, money, and energy. We pride ourselves on being a supportive,
caring firm committed to resolving your case with your best interests
in mind while minimizing your stress and pain.

There are many factors in every divorce, but the process becomes significantly
more complex when children are involved. No matter their age, it's
commonly expected for children to experience frustration, confusion, sadness,
and anger. While there will be a long list of things to be worked through,
the way you help your kids cope throughout the process and after is one
of the most important things you can do.

No matter where you are at in your divorce timeline, here are six ways
to help your kids cope.

Make It Clear They Are Loved. This responsibility falls on both parents- your children need to know your
love for them hasn't changed. The last thing you want is for them
to feel like they are remotely to blame. If they feel at all that one
or both parents love for them has changed, long term damage to self-esteem
can be vast.

Don't Fight in Front of Your Kids. This will help with the first tip by not creating uncertainty regarding
the divorce. No matter the circumstance, being able to represent a unified
front will help children better understand that both parents will still
support them.

Share Appropriate Information. How you explain the rationale, process, and fallout of your divorce will
depend on the age of your children. Communicate clearly and honestly on
matters that relate directly to them such as living situations, care arrangements,
and division of time. Avoid discussions around heated or contested topics
surrounding the divorce, and keep legal proceedings amongst the adults.

Provide Stability and Support. Along with openly demonstrating continued love from both parents, it is
a two person job to help kids maintain a sense of routine and stability.
You will need to work together to ensure that, in every applicable sense,
your child's daily routine can remain consistent. This also applies
to how both parents enforce and observe rules, discipline, and rewards.

Respect the Parent-Child Relationships. Avoid the temptation to put kids in the middle between parents. Don't
speak badly about the other parent, use children as messengers, or create
scenarios where they must choose a side. Your personal relationship with
your children isn't a piece of leverage, nor a way to source information
about the other parent.

Know When to Seek Help. Even with the best care and effort, there may still be a time you need
to seek professional help with your child. You know your kids better than
anybody, so keep an eye out for red flag changes in behavior. Major shifts
in personality or attitude, sleep problems, trouble at school, drug or
alcohol abuse, or self-destructive behavior can all be signs of deeper
issues that may need professional treatment.

If you are considering a divorce or have already been served papers, you
will certainly want to start thinking about these tips and more as your
kids are involved. We have extensive experience in divorce proceedings
and a commitment to compassionate service. Call us today at (989) 244-4333 or
click here for more contact information to learn more about how we can help you and
your kids through a divorce.

The information on this website is for general information purposes only.
Nothing on this site should be taken as legal advice for any individual
case or situation. This information is not intended to create, and receipt
or viewing does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship.